Steak!!!

I don't know what Chris's trick is, but he makes the best steak. He uses broiler 2-3 minutes on each side. I try the same way, but it never comes out the same way.

Rice on the side is Japanese vegetable rice. We call it mushroom rice in our household. Maybe someone can let me know the proper name. You can get it from any Japanese market. The one that I normally go to is:

Sunrise Mart
29 3rd Avenue (between 10th St & 2nd Ave)
212 598 3040

Tokubei 86

Agedashi Tofu

Fried Pork

Fluke Sashimi

Yose Nabe

We have been living the same neighborhood for over 6 years and never walked into Tokubei 86 until today. The interior & outside of the restaurant never looked welcoming, but we decided to try after reading a local Japanese magazine called Chopsticks.

We were pleasantly surprised with fresh sashimi - first sign of quality of Japanese restaurant. Other things that we ordered were really good as well.
We are definitely coming back.

I just read that Tokubei 86 makes their own curry. I will try that next time!!!


Tokubei 86
314 E. 86th Street
New York, NY 10028
212 629 5334

New Directors/New Films 2009

There is a film festival going on called "New Directors/New Films 2009"

Started on 3/25/09 and will continue until 4/5/09.


http://www.filmlinc.com/ndnf/program.html

Singapore Day 2009

If you happen to be in London in April, check out Singapore Day 2009 on April 25.
You need to register, but I am sure you can find some good food.

Unfortunately I missed it when this we held in New York.

https://app.singaporeday.gov.sg/

iTunes U

As soon as I started school, I have given up on my true love - reading.
I still try to read, but I don't read as much. Plus it's hard carrying text books and my hardcover books.

Therefore, I discovered a lazy way to learn: iTunes U
This has changed my life. You can find lectures or panel discussion. And most importantly, it's FREE!!!

You can search by subject or by institutions.
So far my favorite institutions are:

LSE
CSIS
Stanford

Try it! You will love it!

Go to your iTunes then click on iTunes Store.
Click on iTunes U

My Breakfast

Ever since I couldn't fit into clothes that my sister bought for me, I had to think of different way of enjoying food. I am the last person to be on a diet, so I decided to try portion control. However, I needed to stop eating one thing - bagel for breakfast.

Instead, I started eating yogurt for breakfast. Yogurt in a small container is convenient, but I thought I might as well try a really healthy way.

So every morning, I pack yogurt and fresh fruit in a container. Chris gets the same thing, but he also has granola in his mix.

I normally put different kinds of berries, just because they are easy to pack in the morning, but banana and apple work well with yogurt as well.

Yogurt above is plain yogurt with honey. It has a great texture with little sweetness to it.
If you prefer plain yogurt, you can always add your own honey.
You can find this brand at Whole Foods.

Congee Village

If you end up in Chinatown, East Village, or Alphabet City and have no where to go??? And it's midnight???

Congee Village is there for you.

If you have 10 people or more? Don't worry, they have big tables.


Congee Village
100 Allen Street at Delancy
212-941-1818

http://www.congeevillagerestaurants.com/index.php

Banh Mi all the way!!!

One good thing the French brought to Vietnam - baguette...


I was introduced to Banh Mi by Christoff back in San Francisco. But it took me a long time to like it. I wasn't used to the idea of pickled carrot and cilantro in my sandwich.
Now??? I love it. That's why we were so happy to find Paris Bakery Sandwich Cafe one day.
They serve Vietnamese sandwiches as well as desserts and rice dishes.



Paris Sandwich Bakery Cafe
113 Mott Street
at Canal
212-226-7221


My friend also took me to another Banh Mi shop last week.
Don't be fooled by the jewelry store in front.
Banh Mi was good....

Saigon Bakery
138 Mott at Grand
212-941-1541

Gajyumaru

Miyuki let us know that Gajyumaru serves ramen on weekends.
We finally went and tried it today.

Soup was exceptional and pickles were a nice touch.

We weren't so happy with noodle itself, though.

Gajyumaru
1659 1st Avenue at 86th Street
212-860-8857